UFC on FOX 9: Undercard Predictions

Darren Uyenoyama (8-4) vs. Alp Ozkilic (8-1)

It always brings a smile to my face when the UFC signs a new flyweight. Ozkilic is on a three-fight winning streak including a 30-second TKO of Antonio Banuelos in his previous pairing. Though he has potential, Uyenoyama is a bit more polished and won’t be dealing with any unexpected nerves. Expect a closely-contested bout with Uyenoyama ultimately escaping with a victory based on superior grappling. / PREDICTION: Darren Uyenoyama def. Alp Ozkilic via Unanimous Decision (PHOTO CREDIT: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports)

Cody McKenzie (14-3) vs. Sam Stout (19-9-1)

“Hands of Stone” certainly hasn’t lived up to his nickname as a member of the UFC and has failed to look truly sharp in a showdown since his knockout of Yves Edwards more than two years ago. Though McKenzie is far from an elite talent, his submission skills are dangerous to any adversary with a questionable ground game (i.e. Stout who owes a third of his losses to being tapped out). Look for McKenzie to close the distance early, drag Stout to the mat, and immediately start looking for a choke. / PREDICTION: Cody McKenzie def. Sam Stout via Submission (PHOTO CREDIT: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

Abel Trujillo (10-5) vs. Roger Bowling (11-4)

Kudos to the UFC for booking a rematch between these two after their exciting encounter in August ended in a No Contest due to a knee Trujillo accidentally landed to the grounded Bowling during a scramble rendering him unable to continue. Looking back at the first fight, things were competitive for the most part with Bowling owning a slight edge in both stand-up and grappling. Still, I see Trujillo coming away with the victory, as he’s shown some solid durability in comparison to Bowling who has lost three of his four fights as the result of a strike-based stoppage. Trujillo hits hard and definitely has the technique to take Bowling out in that regard. / PREDICTION: Abel Trujillo def. Roger Bowling via TKO (PHOTO CREDIT: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)

Pat Healy (29-17) vs. Bobby Green (21-5)

At first glance it probably seems as though Healy should have this one in the bag. He’s got nearly twice Green’s experience and beaten some high-level foes over more than a decade in the ring. However, Green has the skills to contend with Healy as evident by his six-fight winning streak and past success against semi-respectable foes like Daron Cruickshank, James Krause, and Jacob Volkmann. Look for their clash to be closer than some might expect, though one seeing “Bam Bam” emerge with his hand raised based on his ability to grind opponents down while seeking a TKO or submission finish. / PREDICTION: Pat Healy def. Bobby Green via Split Decision (PHOTO CREDIT: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

Edson Barboza (12-1) vs. Danny Castillo (16-5)

Barboza and Castillo have quietly strung together back-to-back wins this year since being stopped with strikes in their final appearances of 2012. With the possibility of a third straight on the immediate horizon, expect both to enter the Octagon determined to win and willing to lay it all on the line to make a statement. Equally intriguing, they have opposing styles with Barboza being the better striker and Castillo having an advantage when it comes to wrestling. Since Barboza has never been submitted and is a bit fresher, while the 34-year old Castillo has been finished in four of his five losses, the Brazilian seems to be a bit stouter and should be able to do enough damage to deliver Castillo defeat. / PREDICTION: Edson Barboza def. Danny Castillo via TKO (PHOTO CREDIT: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)

Scott Jorgensen (14-7) vs. Zach Makovsky (16-4)

It’s nice to see Makovsky get a shot in the UFC less than a year after being thrown out on the street by Bellator in response to losing his bantamweight belt and falling via Split Decision in his follow-up appearance. Since then, he's gone 2-0 on the regional scene and got a call after John Dodson went down with an injury. However, he’s less than a month removed from his last fight, so the odds are against him being physically ready for the challenge newly-minted flyweight Jorgensen brings to the cage. All but one of Makovsky’s losses have come via submission, while “Young Guns” excels in that department, so the outcome of their effort appears to be fairly obvious. / PREDICTION: Scott Jorgensen def. Zach Makovsky via Submission (PHOTO CREDIT: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports)

Court McGee (16-3) vs. Ryan LaFlare (9-0)

First off, Happy Birthday to McGee who turned 29 today! The Ultimate Fighter 11 winner will look to give himself a gift on Saturday night by beating the undefeated LaFlare who has gone 2-0 since signing with the UFC. Though both men are similarly skilled, McGee doesn’t have an ounce of “quit” in him and doesn’t mind getting physical. Expect him to get a hold of LaFlare early on and work on wearing him down. He has the skill to take LaFlare down or hold him up against the cage and deliver shots. If he can test LaFlare’s gas tank he has a good chance at coming away with a victory. / PREDICTION: Court McGee def. Ryan LaFlare via Unanimous Decision (PHOTO CREDIT: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports)

The weather has cooled down significantly since the last time the Octagon made an appearance on network television, but the action this weekend at UFC on FOX 9 should be hot as ever thanks to a stacked lineup for the show. In addition to featuring four fantastic fights on the main card, the preliminary portion of the event boasts bouts between a number of established veterans and a highly-touted newcomer or two. Here’s a look at how the seven scraps may unfold…